DAL OFFSEASON: Trade & FA | Mavs "mostly done...but you never know."

[SleepingHero]

THJ is a better defender.

Is THJ a better defender though? Defensive stats don't paint a whole picture, but comparing DeRozan to THJ defensively, by in large they're a push. With a slight edge going to DeRozan. 

DRTG- 113 for DeRozan (115 last year), 113 for THJ (115 last year). 
DBPM- -0.8 for DeRozan (-0.4 last year), -1.4 for THJ (-1.4 last year).
DWS- 1.3 for Derozan, 1.1 for THJ
DFG%- 50.6% for DeRozan, 54.8% for THJ.

So at worst they're exactly the same, at best DeRozan is slightly better. But while both have their defensive shortcomings, it's on the offensive end where DeRozan becomes more interesting. Firstly, DeRozan does not suffer from the JR Smith school of thought that THJ attended. He does not take risky dumb shots. That alone is a plus. 

Secondly, while DeRozan is a terrible 3pt shooter, he is still an incredible scorer. He is one of the most efficient mid-range shooters of all time. He shot 53% from the field last year, with 35% of all of his shots coming from mid range.  61% of his shots coming from inside the paint less than 6FT. He is a reliable mid range shooter. 

We saw in the playoffs how wildly inconsistent the Mavs outside shooting could be. We needed more reliable options. DeRozan provides that. He is also adds another dimension to the Mavs offensive firepower. Not only do the Mavs retain the rest of their elite 3pt shooters, (and add 2 more good 3pt shooters in Ibaka and White),  they also add the best mid range shooter in the league. He's also an athletic slasher that'd greatly benefit from Luka and KP providing space. 

DeRozan is also offensively talented enough to lead the offense while Luka sits. DeMar is in the 91st percentile for Pick n Roll ballhandlers. For comparison, Luka is in the 90th percentile. So not only does DeRozan provide a new dimension to the offense, he also brings to the table another offensive creator that is good enough to give Luka a break.